Container with mixer and method of use

ABSTRACT

A container for use in dispensing small doses of a self-setting mixture having a limited gel time, contains the ingredients of the mix held in a non-interactive manner. According to the invention, the container is generally tubular and at the rear end there is provided a detachable end cap to receive a mixing means comprising a mixing blade and a mixing rod. These are releasably inter-engageable and may be used to mix up the ingredients. Preferably the rod is used just for the mixing and is then removed from the container, leaving the blade behind. The end cap is then urged through the container to expel the formed mix via an outlet at the forward end of the container. The method of use involves a technique of mixing the ingredients within the container wherein the mixing rod is rotated to advance the mixing blade longitudinally through the interior of the container to advance the mixing blade from the rear end to the forward end, with the mixing blade then remaining passive. The rod is removed, tape reapplied to the end cap hole, the tip of the cap is cut off, a weakened portion in the forward end wall is ruptured to allow the mixture to pass outwardly of the container as the piston is depressed.

United States Patent 1 Rausch et al.

[ CONTAINER WITH MIXER AND METHOD OF USE [76] Inventors: Paul Gilger Rausch, 8405 Wainstead Dr., Parma, Ohio 44129; Walter Donald Todish, 5379 Rustic Hills, Medina, Ohio 44256 [22] Filed: May 25, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 363,911

Primary Examiner-Harvey C. Hornsby Assistant Examiner-Philip R. Coe

Attorney, Agent, or FirmCaesar, Rivise, Bernstein & Cohen 1 Jan.7,1975

[57] ABSTRACT A container for use in dispensing small doses of a selfsetting mixture having a limited gel time, contains the ingredients of the mix held in a non-interactive manner. According to the invention, the container is generally tubular and at the rear end there is provided a detachable end cap to receive a mixing means comprising a mixing blade and a mixing rod. These are releasably inter-engageable and may be used to mix up the ingredients. Preferably the rod is used just for the mixing and is then removed from the container, leaving the blade behind. The end cap is then urged through the container to expel the formed mix via an outlet at the forward end of the container. The method of use involves a technique of mixing the ingredients within the container wherein the mixing rod is rotated to advance the mixing blade longitudinally through the interior of the container to advance the mixing blade from the rear end to the forward end, with the mixing blade then remaining passive. The rod is removed, tape reapplied to the end cap hole, the tip of the cap is cut off, a weakened portion in the forward end wall is ruptured to allow the mixture to pass outwardly of the container as the piston is depressed.

5 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAN' 8; 888.888

SHEET 2 UF 2 l CONTAINER WITH MIXER AND METHOD OF USE The invention relates to a container for dispensing small doses of self-setting mixes which may be used to embed fixing elements such as bolts, nails, screws and the like in substrates as well as a method of use.

Self-setting mixes are used to embed bolts or the like in holes formed in substrates, for example, in anchoring a bar in a mine or tunnel wall or roof or in fixing a track bolt to a railway sleeper. Such mixes can have a long or a short gel time, followed by a long or short cure time. The composition may comprise interactive ingredients which are held in separate containers and it is necessary to measure out precise quantities of them and mix them on site. This is uneconomical as considerable volumes of mix are wasted and time is wasted by the measuring and mixing operations.

One object of the invention is to provide a container which can dispense small doses of self-setting mix during the gel time of the mix on demand with little wastage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container in which the interactive ingredients of the selfsetting mix are held in non-interactive manner for storage. Yet another object is toprovide a container which can readily be used to mix up the ingredients to form the self-setting mix. Another object is to provide an expendible container and mixer.

Yet another object is to provide a container having mixing means whereby the ingredients in the container may readily be mixed to form a self-setting mix within the container.

Still another object is to provide a method of use wherein the contents of a container can be readily mixed and then deposited in a given space, as desired.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved by a container in which ingredients of a self-setting mix may be interacted, the container comprising in combination:

i. a tubular body portion, the body portion having at the forward end a wall having an outlet, removable sealing means being connected to the outlet,

ii. the body portion containing interactive ingredients of the self-setting mix, the ingredients being held in non-interactive manner iii. a detachable end cap located at the rear end of the body portion, the end cap being adapted to receiving mixing means therethrough and used as expelling means for expelling the formed mix through the outlet, and

iv. mixing means for mixing up the interactive ingredients to form the self-setting mix, the mixing means comprising a mixing blade and a detachable mixing rod. The mixing blade moves forwardly in the action of the mixing rod in order to mix the ingredients.

The invention also provides a method of mixing the ingredients of a self-setting mix within a container, the container having a tubular body portion, the body portion having at a forward end a wall having an outlet, removable sealing means being connected to the outlet, a detachable end cap being located at the rear end of the body portion, the end cap being adapted to receivmixing rod, the rod being releasably securable to. the blade, comprising:

i. removing the detachable end cap from the body portion ii. releasably securing the mixing rod to the mixing blade and locating the latter adjacent the exposed ingredients iii. replacing that end cap with the mixing rod extending through the hole thereof iv. rotating the mixing rod and blade to mix up the ingredients and urge the mixing blade through the body portion v. releasing the mixing rod from the mixing blade and withdrawing the rod through the end cap.

vi. replacing the detachable end cap and urging it through the body portion to expel the formed mix through the outlet.

Accordingly, reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a longitudinal sectional view through a container of the invention;

FIGS. 2-A to 2-C show, respectively, end views and a side elevation of a mixing device for use with the container;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the mixing device about to be used;

FIG. 4 is a view as FIG. 3 but an intermediate stage of mixing; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partly in section, of a container being used to anchor a bolt in a substrate; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are each an elevation of alternative mixing devices.

The container of FIG. 1 comprises a generally tubular body portion 10 of the general shape as shown in US. Pat. No. 2,646,906, formed of cardboard, plastics or the like and presenting an inner surface resistant to resin solvent, especially styrene, for example by having a lining of plastics, e.g., Melinex (registered trademark) or by being formed of a plastics material such as unplasticised polyvinyl chloride. At the forward end, the left hand, as shown in FIG. l, a metal end wall II is fixed to the body portion 10 by crimping or pressing. The metal end wall has a small annular weakened portion 12 having a pressed up circumferential upstanding wall 13. A plastics nozzle cap 14 is fitted over the wall 13 in the metal end wall 11. A metal end cap 15 is received in the rear end of the body portion 10 and the cap has a raised peripheral wall 16. The end cap 15 has a hole 17 which may be sealed using a strip of adhesive tape 18. The hole 17 is of a diameter larger than that of a mixing rod 26 for reasons explained below. The

. body portion 10 also contains two layers l9 and 20 of 6 ing mixing means therethrough, the ingredients being held within the body portion in non-interactive manner, mixing means comprising a mixing blade and a interactive ingredients of a self-setting mix. The two layers 19 and 20 extend longitudinally of the body portion 10 and may be received therein by, for example, extruding them from extrusion nozzles arranged in parallel relation. See British Pat. No. l,l27,9l3 and US. Pat. No. 2,862,616. In a preferred embodiment, one layer contains an unsaturated polyester resin with filler and the other a hardener therefor, for example, a peroxide, most conveniently, benzoyl peroxide, also with a filler. When such layers are located in the container, a limited reaction takes place at the layer interface as a result of which a polymerised layer is formed and this tends to prevent further interaction until the layers are mixed up to cause intimate exposure of the resin to the catalyst. In other embodiments the resin in one layer is an epoxy resin and the other contains a hardener therefor. When the layers 19 and 20 have been received in the body portion 10, end cap 15 is fitted to seal them in position and a piece of adhesive tape 18 is stuck over the hole 17. However, it is to be understood that the invention contemplates two or more materials that simply have to be mixed or even one material that has to be mixed before delivery.

FIGS. 2-A to 2-C show a mixing blade 21 for the container. The mixing blade 21 comprises an annulus 22 of metal or plastics and dimensioned so as to be received within the peripheral wall 16 of the end cap 15. The annulus has a generally flat end plate 23 which is welded or otherwise secured at each corner to the annulus 22. The plate 23 has a centrally located hole 24 of rectangular shape and smaller than hole 17. An arcuate wall 25 is secured to the annulus above the plate 23 so as to define a roof for the plate. A mixing rod 26 about the length of the container is provided and one end portion 27 of the rod is deformed, for example, by being flattened and then twisted, whereby the end portion may be releasably received in the hole 24 of the mixing blade 21, as best shown in FIG. 2-C. The other end portion 28 is adapted to be received in a chuck of a rotational device, for example, a small electric drill, not shown.

In use, the container body portion is first filled with the layers 19 and 20 in a factory plant and the end cap 15, having adhesive tape 18 over the hole 17, is then used to plug the container. The mixing annulus 22 is also received in the body portion within the end cap peripheral wall 16 and secured in position using adhesive tape. The mixing rod 26 is also temporarily held to the exterior of the body portion 10, for example, by adhesive tape or a rubber band.

When it is desired to make the self-setting mixture the following steps are taken. First, the annulus 22 and the rod 26 are detached from the body portion 10. Next, the end cap is removed so exposing the end wall of the layers 19 and 20. The mixing annulus 22 is placed on the end wall of these layers, arcuate wall 25 leading, and the end portion 27 of the rod 26 is fixed in the hole 24 of the plate 23. The tape 18 is removed from the hole 17 of the end cap 15 which is then replaced, the rod 26 protruding through the hole 17 (FIG. 3). The end portion 28 of the rod 26 is fitted to a power drill and when the power is energised, the rod 26 and the mixing annulus 22 rotate through the layers 19 and intimately to mix them (FIG. 4). The mixing annulus travels the length of the body portion 10 and finishes by abutting against the inner face of the end wall 11. The rod 26 is then removed from the hole 24 by a sample reverse turn and passed out through the hole 17. The tape 18 is then reapplied to the end cap 15 to seal the hole 17. The body portion 10 now contains a premixed selfsetting mixture having a gel time which, according to the nature and quantity of the ingredients used, will vary between several minutes and several hours. The tip of the nozzle cap 14 is cut off and the annular weakened portion 12 in the end wall 11 is ruptured so allowing the mixture to be passed outwardly of the container. The container is then held by hand adjacent the bar 29 to be embedded in a hole 30 in a substrate 31, FIG. 5., and the piston is depressed to extrude the mixture through the nozzle 14. The mixing annulus 22 remains passive within the body portion 10. In this way bars, especially those of small diameter, may be embedded in holes I to 2 centimeters in diameter using self-setting mix of limited gel time with little wastage and regular tools. The container and its associated parts may be discarded after use, according to choice.

From the foregoing it can be seen that the inventions disclosed herein involve rotating the mixing rod and the mixing blade to advance the mixing blade longitudinally to the interior of the tubular body portion, to advance the mixing blade from the rear end to the forward end. Thereafter, the mixing blade remains passive as the mixing rod is removed and the piston actuated.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show other forms of mixing devices. In each case the mixing blade comprises a flat member 40, the edge portions 41 of which are turned out of the plane of the member for enhancing mixing. The member 40 has a central pillar 42 having a screw threaded bore 43 and the end portion 27 of the rod 26 also has a screw thread.

Without further elaboration the foregoing will so fully illustrate our inventions that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. A disposable, container for dispensing doses of a self setting mix, comprising a container having a rigid tubular body, a self setting mix having first and second components longitudinally disposed within said body, said components forming a polymerised layer along their interface, said body having a first end wall forming an integral spout and a second end having a detachable cap thereon, and including an opening therein covered by a removable adhesive strip, said cap serving to seal said components within said container, and mixing means for movement through said body for mixing the two components to form said mix, said detachable cap arranged for movement through said body and serving as expulsion means to expel the mix from the container, said mixing means and said expulsion means being movable independently of said other, said mixing means comprising a mixing blade adapted for disposition within said body and a mixing rod, the opening in said cap being dimensioned to receive the mixing rod therethrough after said adhesive strip has been removed, said blade being movable through said body by said rod toward said spout to mix the components and once said components are mixed for remaining passive within said body adjacent said first end wall, said blade being detachable from the rod to enable the rod to be removed from the container with the blade remaining passive in the body adjacent said first end wall, said cap being temporarily detachable from said second end to enable the blade to be inserted in the body, and being arranged for reconnection to said second end once said blade is in place within said body, said cap being thereafter movable longitudinally through the body to effect the expulsion of the mix through the spout.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the first compo nent comprises a resin and the second component comprises a hardener.

3. The container of claim 2 wherein the body is resistant to a solvent for the resin.

4. The container of claim 3 wherein said first component comprises an unsaturated polyester resin and a catalyst and wherein said second component comprises a hardener and a filler.

5. A method of providing a setting mix from a tubular container having a tubular body portion, said container including first and second components which when mixed together form the setting mix, said first component comprising an unsaturated resin and a catalyst, said second component comprising a hardener and a filler, said components being extruded longitudinally into said body portion whereupon said components form a polymerised layer at their interface but do not otherwise interact, the body portion of said container having a forward end wall including an outlet, with removable sealing means normally connected to the outlet, said container also comprising a detachable end cap being adapted to receive mixing means therethrough, said mixing means comprising a mixing blade and a mixing rod, the rod being r'eleasably securable to the blade, the method comprising the steps of: removing the detachable end cap from the base portion, securing the mixing rod to the mixing blade and locating the latter adjacent to the exposed components, replacing the end cap, using the mixing rod to urge the mixing blade through the body portion to thereby mix up the components to form the mix, releasing the mixing rod from the mixing blade and withdrawing the rod through the end cap and thereafter urging the end cap through the tubular body portion to expel the formed mix through the outlet, said sealing means being disconnected from said outlet prior to urging the end cap through the body portion to expel the formed mix. 

1. A disposable, container for dispensing doses of a self setting mix, comprising a container having a rigid tubular body, a self setting mix having first and second components longitudinally disposed within said body, said components forming a polymerised layer along their interface, said body having a first end wall forming an integral spout and a second end having a detachable cap thereon, and including an opening therein covered by a removable adhesive strip, said cap serving to seal said components within said container, and mixing means for movement through said body for mixing the two components to form said mix, said detachable cap arranged for movement through said body and serving as expulsion means to expel the mix from the container, said mixing means and said expulsion means being movable independently of said other, said mixing means comprising a mixing blade adapted for disposition within said body and a mixing rod, the opening in said cap being dimensioned to receive the mixing rod therethrough after said adhesive strip has been removed, said blade being movable through said body by said rod toward said spout to mix the components and once said components are mixed for remaining passive within said body adjacent said first end wall, said blade being detachable from the rod to enable the rod to be removed from the container with the blade remaining passive in the body adjacent said first end wall, said cap being temporarily detachable from said second end to enable the blade to be inserted in the body, and being arranged for reconnection to said second end once said blade is in place within said body, said cap being thereafter movable longitudinally through the body to effect the expulsion of the mix through the spout.
 2. The container of claim 1 wherein the first component comprises a resin and the second component comprises a hardener.
 3. The container of claim 2 wherein the body is resistant to a solvent for the resin.
 4. The container of claim 3 wherein said first component comprises an unsaturated polyester resin and a catalyst and wherein said second component comprises a hardener and a filler.
 5. A method of providing a setting mix from a tubular container having a tubular body portion, said container including first and second components which when mixed together form the setting mix, said first component comprising an unsaturated resin and a catalyst, said second component comprising a hardener and a filler, said components being extruded longitudinally into said body portion whereupon said components form a polymerised layer at their interface but do not otherwise interact, the body portion of said container having a forward end wall including an outlet, with removable sealing means normally connected to the outlet, said container also comprising a detachable end cap being adapted to receive mixing means therethrough, said mixing means comprising a mixing blade and a mixing rod, the rod being releasably securable to the blade, the method comprising the steps of: removing the detachable end cap from the base portion, securing the mixing rod to the mixing blade and locating the latter adjacent to the exposed components, replacing the end cap, using the mixing rod to urge the mixing blade through the body portion to thereby mix up the components to form the mix, releasing the mixing rod from the mixing blade and withdrawing the rod through the end cap and thereafter urging the end cap through the tubular body portion to expel the formed mix through the outlet, said sealing means being disconnected from said outlet prior to urging the end cap through the body portion to expel the formed mix. 